Assembly on 22 May Address to pupils

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2 Assembly on 22 May Address to pupils With the June examinations around the corner, you are all no doubt searching for the secrets to academic success. I believe that we will encounter two types of pupils in the lead up to the examinations. The first being those who have worked hard consistently throughout the academic year and who will take these examinations in their stride. The second type of pupil will reflect on the last few months that has seen them go through the motions, demonstrating a poor work ethic and thereby placing themselves under significant pressure in the lead up to the examinations. To those pupils who worked consistently throughout the year, all that remains is a shifting of gear that will see you enter cruise control and a period of consolidation ahead of the examinations. To those pupils who have been in cruise control for the large part of five months, what remains for you is quite simply a need to gear down from fifth to fourth and then third as you accelerate up the significant hill that is in front of you. Though teachers and your parents can assist you towards your goal of achieving academic success in the June examinations, it is largely up to you. Take time to analyse your current position and to determine what in your life you need to change or shift to be in alignment with what you need. Academic rigour is a non-negotiable for pupils who have done little or no work and similarly for those who have worked hard over the last few months. If it has been all play and no work, then hard work will ensure that you recover from a position of weakness to achieve results commensurate with your ability. If it has been all work and no play, then continued hard work will ensure that you achieve beyond your capabilities. No matter the starting point, there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting. To those pupils who are well placed ahead of the examinations, it is not over until the fat lady sings. To those pupils who have lots of work to do, your path ahead may seem like a dead-end or nearly impossible, but you have the power to affect positive change and as a result an improved performance. Either way, without this mind-set, you will make it down the road to examinations but you will have a lot of regrets. A jug fills drop by drop. An insurmountable task or objective isn t as overwhelming when one takes small steps every day. Write down small goals for each week and what you need to do to make it happen. Then go and do it! So without wanting to be the bearer of bad news, nor create a scenario that suggests only doom and gloom, I would offer you the following advice. To be idle is a short road to failure and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent. One thing is for sure: success does not come from sitting on the couch and doing nothing. Once you set your mind to being successful, be prepared to work feverishly towards what you want. You will need to make sacrifices but they re worth it when you re following your goals and aspirations. We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. Watch your thoughts; think of them as actual things rather than imaginary constructs. This helps you to understand how powerful they can really be. Coming down on yourself only hinders you and holds you back. Positive thoughts are powerful creations that shape our lives. Think positive, be positive! Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Take a step back and really look at your current position, your successes and failures. It is said that your failures inform you how to be successful and that s true of all endeavours. Keep on working, and move on to the next step. It s all just part of the process. Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a balanced life. Being successful isn t just about working all the time; you need to play and find your spiritual practice too! Being balanced is the key to not becoming fatigued or worn out, which in turn increases your chances of success. It is better to travel well than to arrive. Ultimately, the joy of success comes from what you re doing. The best perspective to have on the path to success is to be present to what you re doing and enjoy it. This will give you freedom and a sense of fulfilment and that s true success. Examinations are a journey, enjoy the ride [Acknowledgements - Buddha s 10 Rules of Success]

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4 25 Mass Ascension Day (High School) 26 TEKKIE TAX DAY (High School) (Primary School) 08:00 08:00 26 ST AGNES BOARDING HOUSE PARENT S EVENING (Primary School Hall) 17:00 18:30 27 PTA 5 A SIDE SOCCER 10:00 JUNE 02 PRIMARY SCHOOL HIKE

5 GRADE 5 SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS MOTHER S DAY TEA MOTHER S DAY TEA MOTHER S DAY TEA NATIONAL SLIPPER DAY GRADE 5 SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS Hockey The following Primary School pupils made the NFS A Hockey team: Marco Kamenos, John Bell, Lethabo Mazui, Veruschka Lonergan, Warona Nthapo and Moleleka Lesole. The following players made the Lejweleputswa Hockey team: Kacey Stumke, Tumi Rasego and Mbali Mlangeni. Results Boys Girls 1 st XI versus Hentie Cilliers Won st XI versus Hentie Cilliers Won 3-1 versus Gimnasium Won 2-1 verus Blouskool Won 2-0 versus Blouskool Lost 0-2 versus HTS Won A versus Blouskool Drew A versus Hentie Cilliers Drew 0-0 versus Blouskool Drew A versus Blouskool Lost B versus Blouskool Drew 1-1 Soccer Results Tennis Results 1 st XI versus Welkom High Lost 1-2 Girls 1 st Team versus Welkom High Won versus Riebeckstad Lost 3-4 Boys 1 st Team versus Bothaville Won versus HTS Lost 1-2 Debating 1 st Team versus Won Best Speaker: Palesa Sekhotsane Junior Team versus Won Best Speaker: Francesca May Chess (Primary) versus Nelsdrift Primary School A team won 4 2 B team won 5 ½ - ½

6 U19 Soccer fixtures 23 May versus Edmund Rice (A) 25 May versus Unitas (A) U15 Soccer fixtures 23 May versus Edu College (H) 30 May versus HTS (A) 6 June versus RHS (A) 13 June versus Unitas (A) A number of our top mathematics pupils attended the Inter-provincial Nautilus Maths Olympiad last weekend. They attended a number of workshops presented by various Mathematicians before writing the Olympiad that consisted of a variety of challenging scenarios. Members of the South African National Mathematics team were in attendance and all things considered, our pupils performed well. It was a most valuable experience and we look forward to receiving the full set of results shortly. The Art Club, consisting of members of the Art Academy and Visual Art pupils, visited Clarens last weekend. The excursion saw the pupils exposed to a variety of South African artists such as Suzette Rocher and Danie Marais. All in all, a fantastic day out despite the cold EDMUND RICE SOCIETY PROJECT The Edmund Rice society of the primary school, initiated a litter campaign in line with the schools Habits of Mind thinking patterns. During a presentation in the form of a drama act and video clip our pupils were asked to think about what they are doing when they litter and fail to act responsibly. Emphasis was placed on the slogan Earth we re in it together Back row: Marco and Chrisanthi Kamenos, Hawi Almay and Jessica Styger. Front row: Steven Concalves, Mrs M Campodonico and Koki Femele Children are encouraged to put litter in their favourite soccer player bin. The positive effects of this consciousness are already visible and we hope the enthusiasm will last.

7 How can parents help FOR GRADE The ascension of our Lord signifies: 1. Jesus ascends to heaven so that he can send the Holy Spirit to his followers. 2. After Jesus ascension there is an expectation for the worship of Jesus and witness to Jesus by the disciples. 3. Jesus ascension means that he is exalted to God s right hand and is invested with divine authority. 4. The ascension demonstrates that God has placed a human being as vice-regent of the universe. 5. Believers embryonically share in the reign of Christ by virtue of their union with Christ. 6. Jesus work of intercession continues in his heavenly session. 7. Jesus will return in the same manner that he left. Take care of the BASICS Support what s happening in the classroom Build independence Trust & Respect teachers Pick your battles Parent behaviours that detract from child s success We don t let children experience risk We rescue too quickly Use right channels Ally and not an adversary Understand rewards and punishments Take a long view We rave too easily We let guilt get in the way of leading We don t share our past mistakes We don t practice what we preach We mistake intelligence, giftedness and influence for maturity Sit down to family meals